Chestnut stuffing is a mixture of day-old bread or cornbread, various spices, vegetables and fruits such as apricots, cranberries or pears and chestnuts. It is commonly served during Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. Some recipes also include bacon, sausage, chicken or other meats because they lend flavor to the chestnuts. Some suggested breads to try with chestnut stuffng are sourdough, rye, cibatta, baguettes, French or pumpernickel.
What's a Chestnut?
A chestnut is found in the United States, Europe and China in one of 8 different species of chestnut trees. In the United States, the most common species is the American Chestnut. They are said to have a sweet nutty flavor, and a texture similar to that of a baked potato.http://www.chestnutbrook.com.au/what-are-chestnuts.html
Note, if working with raw chestnuts, it is recommended that you score then roast them in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. If they are not scored, there is a chance the chestnuts will explode due to internal pressure. Raw chestnuts are very astringent, but can still be eaten safely.
Ciabatta & Chestnut Stuffing from Food Network
Giada De Laurentiis on the Food Network show Everyday Italian shows us how to make ciabatta and chestnut stuffing for your holiday meals. She includes pancetta, an Italian style bacon to give the dish an extra flair. Regular bacon can be substituted for the panhetta. She also adds in onion, carrots, butter, salt, black pepper, celery, garlic, rosemary, cubed day-old ciabatta bread, Parmesan cheese, chestnuts, parsley and eggs to bind the stuffing. After tossing all the ingredients together, she adds a cup of chicken stock to keep the mixture moist, then adds everything to a buttered baking dish and tosses it in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes covered in aluminum foil, then another 15 minutes uncovered.
References
Fast Facts
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Popular for Thanksgiving and Christmas
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Sometimes served with a Christmas Goose
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Can use fresh or store-bought chestnuts
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Chestnuts add richness and texture
